The inquiry is separate to the Australian and PNG investigations.
Justice Canning has urged asylum seekers to come forward with testimony of what happened during the deadly violence.
The National Court has outlined its terms of reference of the inquiry:
- What human rights do the transferees have under the constitution, if any?
- Have those rights, if any, been or are they being, administered to them?
- If not, what orders and declarations should the court make to protect and enforce those rights?
Justice Canning says he hopes to make a judgment by end of March.
A leaked report from a PNG police investigation found an Iranium asylum seeker on Manus Island died from multiple blows to the head.
The federal government review will be headed by former public servant Robert Cornall.
The terms of reference show the review will look at security breaches, security management, the appropriateness of service providers' response and their ability to manage protest activity.
The review will be undertaken in co-operation with the Papua New Guinea government and a preliminary report is due by the end of March.
